Vertebroplasty Fracture Repair

Vertebroplasty is a surgical procedure that is used to correct
vertebral fractures.
The types of breaks treated with this specific form of vertebral
reconstruction are the most minor, usually involving cracks or small
hollows formed into the spinal bones. Major fractures, compound
fractures and large areas of unsupported bone are best treated with a
better version of this technique called kyphoplasty or even full open surgical reduction and reinforcement.

Vertebral
fracture is not always a serious event, although it sounds terrible.
Many breaks in spinal bones actually do not require any treatment, since
they will heal fine on their own. However, in cases where treatment is
needed, or if spinal instability or neurological risk exists, then this
surgical intervention may be one possible approach to indicated care.

Vertebroplasty Procedure

Vertebral repair is a
minimally invasive
outpatient procedure that is virtually always performed under local anesthetic. The
technique involves a small incision in the skin. The surgeon will view
the fractured spinal bone under live
X-ray
to monitor progress of treatment during the operation.

A needle is inserted directly into the bone fracture. Special cement called PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate acrylic cement)
is injected into the fractured vertebrae. The cement will harden in
less than 15 minutes and provide immediate stability to the fracture.
After the
orthopedic surgeon
is sure that the vertebrae has been adequately reinforced, the needle is withdrawn and the incision can be closed.

The
technique takes less than 1 hour total and the patient can go home
immediately. As long as no unforeseen complications occur, the patient
should not suffer anything worse than a bit of soreness from the
procedure.

Risks of Vertebroplasty

There are some standard risks of
surgical complications,
such as bleeding or infection. There are also specific
back surgery risks
in this procedure that involve the PMMA cement. This material
has not been approved for this spinal application, since the risks of the substance are considerable.

There is a moderate risk of leakage of the cement, prior to it hardening. If it does leak, it can compress neurological tissues causing nerve damage.
It is possible for the cement to enter a circulatory vessel, causing
heart or lung problems, or even proving fatal in very rare instances. The PMMA may also enter the cerebral
spinal fluid, also causing dire health effects.

As long as the cement does not cause any unwanted consequences, most patients recovery very well from the procedure and enjoy much faster resolution of any symptoms caused by the fracture than they would have if they allowed the vertebra to heal organically.

Vertebroplasty Conclusions

This is an excellent minimally invasive procedure for correcting minor vertebral fractures. The success rate is close to 90% for indicated cases and conditions. This procedure is most often used when the fracture is small and contained.

Obviously, consider all varieties of
back surgery
as a last resort and make sure to research the procedure and surgeon
carefully to optimize the chances for a successful result. Some
patients are recommended to undergo surgical correction of fractures
unnecessarily.

If the break will heal fine naturally, then that is the
preferred course. Surgical correction is best left for cases in which
the patient, or the fracture, demonstrates unusual circumstances which
will prevent typical and full resolution of the break.

Additionally,
some patients may have a difficult time accessing this procedure, due
to the risks of the PMMA cement and the reluctance of care providers to
deal with the legal liabilities of treatment.